First-team skipper Matt Hammond reckons champions St Lawrence & Highland Court’s success this year has been a long time coming.

They secured promotion to the Kent League Premier Division last Saturday, beating Canterbury, while the 2nds - captained by Kit Sims - won their Division 1 title, too, despite a 105-run loss to Canterbury 2nds.

Darren Stevens scored a century against Canterbury while fellow Kent player Harry Podmore was also involved.

But Hammond pointed out, apart from those two and Australian overseas Mickey Edwards, much of their first-team squad have played together for a number of years.

“It’s been quite an honour to be involved with,” said Hammond.

“When you write down our team on paper, it’s not changed too much. Obviously, having an overseas like Mickey helped. That was an amazing achievement for him to get 50-odd wickets.

"But the rest of the team, we have been working on for three or four years. This has been a long time coming.

“The likes of Giles [Hilton] and Will [Hilton, former captain] have worked incredibly hard to create the club that we have got.

“Four years ago, we were scraping the barrel. Now, we have 30 or 40 people available on a Saturday and a Sunday as well as the women’s and girls’ set-up.

“But it’s the hard work of the people before me that have got the club where it is.”

Hammond took over as captain from Will Hilton but it’s the latter who ended as the club’s top run-scorer in 2022, more than 100 runs ahead of Sathish Kurusamy.

Edwards, who has played in the Big Bash for the Sydney Sixers, took more than 50 wickets - but he has been well supported with the ball.

“Will, with the bat, has been absolutely incredible. He got us over the line in some pretty tight games,” said Hammond.

“With the ball, the likes of Charley Nash, Jamie Hemphrey, and Ben Trott have all done their bit.

“There’s a lot of people that have done their fair share on and off the pitch, including Tom Shaw who has come in and worked alongside Giles and Will.”

Michael Hales Jr also made a big difference and eventually finished as the club’s fourth-highest run-scorer.

Hammond said: “Michael got off to an absolute flier. Him and Mickey virtually won us our first three games and Michael didn’t have an average!

“Batting first, to get a score, knowing our bowling was a strength was outstanding from him.”

St Lawrence have been coached by Jason Weaver and Hammond admitted: “The fact we have had a committed coach has aided us, allowing us to have a structured set-up.

“It allowed us to do a full-blown warm-up with a coach that makes my job as captain so much easier. Jason’s been fantastic as well.”

Stevens - whose son Flynn is involved in the youth section at the club - has played for St Lawrence this summer, too, alongside Podmore.

“Their attitudes were the same as ours. They would not play for the club if they didn’t have the same attitudes and standards as us,” said Hammond.

“They have been a massive help, on and off the pitch. But it’s easy to look at those two.

“They definitely have helped us over the line, but they have been just as big influences off the field as they are on it.”

St Lawrence posted 213-7 against Canterbury thanks largely to Stevens (103) and Hilton (52).

Canterbury were then 125 all out in 37 overs. Opening bowler Trott (3-29) was best with the ball for the hosts in a fine all-round display on a huge day for the club which saw them end a 12-year wait to return to the Kent League Premier Division.

Hammond is excited to play in the Premier Division and he hopes the side can take inspiration from last year’s promoted sides, Premier Division champions Hayes and Minster, saying: “Listen, I’m absolutely buzzing for it to be fair.

“Will is the only one to have played in the Premier before. But Hayes and Minster have done well without changing the teams too much, I’m hoping we can follow suit to be honest.

“It will be tough and daunting for some but it’s something we should relish.”

St Lawrence’s 2nds also went up as champions, despite their final-day defeat against Canterbury 2nds at Polo Farm.

Dan Sadler (2-61) was the pick of the away bowlers as Canterbury reached 191-6 in their 50 overs largely thanks to Kyran Millard (42) and opener Matiss Siyambalapitiya’s 37.

Will Vant top-scored with 27 in St Lawrence’s reply but they were 86 all out inside 22 overs, opening bowlers Luke Sullivan (4-25) and Max Harris (3-22) both did well for Canterbury.